ECOP members are working to streamline the electrical planning process across all four Navy public shipyards

By Ben Hutto, PSNS & IMF Pubic Affairs

Since 2014, Electrical Community of Practice representatives have been working to help streamline and improve electrical planning, execution, and workmanship across the four shipyards and their detachments.

The group is a collection of various codes and shops from across the country. They meet monthly to discuss the best ways to support the organization's various working groups that focus on the Navy's mission.

"The learning we get from the other yards is a huge asset for everyone," said Kevin Fournier, workforce development director, Code 950, Electricians, Regional Calibration, Electronic Technicians. "The communication is constant and that information is important in keeping everyone informed and ready."

While those monthly meetings are productive, the limits of technology can impede important side conversations and more in-depth group discussions due to distance and the limits of technology.

Representatives from various shipyards meet once a year in person to connect and share information. In May, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility hosted the group's annual conference for the first time in eight years.

The three-day event at the shipyard and the Kitsap Conference Center featured presentations from the organization's working groups, covering diverse topics such as fiber optic advancements and Virginia- and Ford-class innovations. With 102 professionals representing a variety of working groups there to present, Fournier was happy with the participation.

"The diversity of our shipyards is one of our biggest assets," said Fournier. "We can solve many problems by looking at them through a different viewpoint. Working together, the ECOP helps people come up with solutions they may not have thought of."

While those solutions help to streamline and improve efficiency, the relationships these in-person meetings form are a huge tool for helping develop the members of his teams.

"The relationships that develop through ECOP are a huge piece of this," said Fournier. "It is a great learning opportunity for our second levels. It gives them opportunities to network with their counterparts in other yards. A lot of our roles are slightly different from one another from shipyard to shipyard. ECOP exposes our workers to those differences and helps prepare them as they move through their careers."

While the ECOP strives to streamline work execution through experience and innovation, the ability to be able reach out and individually ask fellow members questions has been a key factor in the groups continued success.

"Communication is key," he said. "When you develop relationships, it's easier to converse and share information. The relationships the ECOP has helped build between shipyards has been a good thing."